Food varieties have no link to childhood cancer: Specialist

Despite claims that various food varieties containing chemical food preservatives have resulted in the increase in childhood cancer, a medical specialist said yesterday food pattern or food varieties have no direct impact on childhood cancer.

Legal Officers’ Association of AG’s Dept., vows to defend AG, fight any move to remove him

The Legal Officers’ Association of the Attorney General’s Department yesterday firmly asserted that the Attorney General and officials involved in the relevant decision-making process have exercised their independent professional judgment in line with the esteemed traditions of the Attorney General’s Department regarding recent recommendations to discharge the three suspects in a case.

Businessman undergoes head surgery after alleged attack by MP Dr. Archchuna

One of the three persons, who were allegedly attacked with a plate by Jaffna District Parliamentarian Dr. Ramanathan Archchuna at hotel Valampuri in Jaffna, has undergone surgery on his head, hospital sources said.

AG has not withdrawn advice letter

The Attorney General (AG) has not withdrawn his advice letter, sent on January 27, 2025, which discharged three suspects related to the abduction of Sunday Leader Editor Lasantha Wickremetunge’s driver and the disappearance of Lasantha’s field notebook, reliable sources at the AG’s Department said.

Multi-billion rupee economic loss from island-wide power outage

The economic loss of Sunday’s countywide blackout is believed to be running into billions of rupees, though the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) is yet to put out the exact figure, an official said yesterday.

African hyenas to roam Hambantota Safari Park

As part of animal exchange programmes, a pair of Himalayan brown bears (Ursus arctos isabellinus), a pair of spotted hyenas, and three pairs of slender-tailed meerkats were brought to Sri Lanka for public viewing yesterday.

Swine flu takes its toll: Mahaweli waters contaminated with wild boar carcasses in Nawalapitiya

The health authorities of the Nawalapitiya Urban Council expressed concern about any possible health hazard due to the carcasses of wild boar believed to have died of swine fever floating in a tributary of Mahaweli River.

Prevention of wildlife hazards on power lines leading to blackout: CEB to decide after investigation over monkey scuffle

An official from the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), who wished to remain anonymous, stated that a committee would be formed to investigate whether the power outage occurred due to a monkey scuffle.

AG’s decisions in criminal matters should not be reviewed by political authorities - BASL tells President

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL), in a letter to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, strongly emphasised that decisions of the Attorney General in criminal matters should not be subject to review by political authorities, including the Cabinet of Ministers. Such interference, the BASL argued, would undermine the independence of the Attorney General’s office, which is crucial for upholding the rule of law.

Govt. paddy purchasing move flopped, farmers not ready to sell produce to PMB

The government announced a price of Rs. 120 per kilo for the Nadu variety and Rs. 125 per kilo for the Samba variety

World’s first twin elephants attract tourists in Sri Lanka

The world’s first recorded twin elephants, who were born at the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage in Sri Lanka on August 31, 2021, have now become a major tourist attraction.

Engine driver abandons Beliatta-bound train in Koggala

A Beliatta-bound train from Maradana abruptly came to a halt at Koggala Railway Station last Thursday afternoon when the engine driver left the train, citing ill health.

Specialists demand allowance for extra duty, transport

The Association of Medical Specialists (AMS) met Deputy Finance Minister Prof. Anil Jayantha Fernando yesterday to demand a fixed allowance for extra duty payments and discuss specialist remuneration for Budget 2025. The meeting, arranged by Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, focused on key demands. AMS urged the inclusion of medical specialists in the PA 22/99 transport allowance, citing salary parity with parallel SL3 grade officers. They a

NSL not to rely on salt imports; plans to revive existing salterns

The Chairman of National Salt Limited (NSL), Gayan Wellala, told the Daily Mirror that NSL will not rely on importing salt; instead, it will establish a new table salt plant, which is expected to produce five tonnes of salt per hour.

SL Police will commit more to uphold human rights with changing times – Police Legal Head

With the changing times Sri Lanka Police will also strictly commit to protect and uphold human rights of the citizens of the country and measures will be taken without hesitation to discipline wrongful officers who use force or torture to solve crimes, a top police official said.

Former Army Chief alleges CID targeting him over 2014 incident

Former Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Army, (Rtd) Major General Nanda Mallawaarachchi, has filed an anticipatory bail application before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court to pre-empt the possibility of his arrest by the CID in connection with an incident related to the Ministry of Sports’ procurement of sports equipment in 2014. In his application, Major General Nanda Mallawaarachchi informed the Court that the CID is attempting to arrest

Sri Lanka Foreign Service Association flays Govt. over political appointments

In the wake of the Daily Mirror report over political appointments to diplomatic Missions, the Sri Lanka Foreign Service Association (SLFSA) expressed deep concern that several recent appointments to Head of Mission (HOM) positions have been made from outside the Sri Lanka Foreign Service (SLFS), disregarding the established norms of professionalism, meritocracy, and diplomatic expertise.

AG’s opinion to discharge three suspects linked to driver’s abduction, not Lasantha’s murder

The Attorney General’s (AG) legal opinion on discharging three suspects, which recently sparked outrage on social media and in mainstream media, was not related to the killing of Sunday Leader editor Lasantha Wickrematunge.

Sister of British tourist who died in Sri Lanka shares heartfelt thoughts

The sister of the British tourist who died while on holiday in Sri Lanka has spoken out, revealing that her sister fell seriously ill at the hostel where she was staying. She went on to say, “She sadly and tragically passed away within hours of arriving at the hospital. They couldn’t save our beautiful girl.”

Prez calls for meeting with AG

In the wake of controversy over the release of three suspects implicated in the murder of Sunday Leader Editor Lasantha Wickrematunge, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake called for a meeting with Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara and Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe yesterday.

GovPay to be launched today

The government will take its first steps in its digitization programme by launching new three initiatives today, including GovPay, a system intended to completely digitize payments to government institutions.

Sri Lankan journalists among those receiving USAID funding for LGBT causes

The Trump administration revealed details of how the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funded various projects in several countries including Sri Lanka that it deemed “ridiculous” over the years including $7.9 million allocated to teach Sri Lankan journalist how to avoid “binary-gendered language.”

MP Archchuna admits using staff salary for personal expenses

Jaffna District Parliamentarian Archchuna Ramanathan, said that he appointed his relative as his research officer and received payment for his expenses.

Unlawful compensation claim by former MPs: Nalinda

Chief Government Whip Nalinda Jayatissa in Parliament yesterday alleged that some 43 former MPs have engaged in a Rs. 1.2 billion scam by making false claims of compensation for the damages caused to their houses during the Aragalaya (uprising) in 2022.

You become a real queen when you fix each other’s crowns – Ishadi Amanda

Sri Lanka’s Ishadi Amanda who won first runner-up at the recently concluded Mrs. World 2024 pageant in Las Vegas spoke about the challenges she had to overcome along her journey to win the coveted title at a media briefing held yesterday (February 4) following her arrival in the country.

Sri Lanka Celebrates 77th Independence Day

The official ceremony to mark the 77th Independence Day of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka got off the ground at the Independence Sqaure yesterday morning.

Sri Lanka can evolve into a model state of equality and freedom: President

Sri Lanka can evolve into a model state of equality and freedom, one that epitomizes the richest national spirit in the world through concerted efforts although Sri Lanka may not emerge as the wealthiest nation globally, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said yesterday.

Toxic gas exposure suspected for Colombo City hostel deaths

The Fort Magistrate’s Court has ordered the closure of the Miracle Colombo City Hostel in Colombo 03 following the mysterious deaths of two foreign guests.

Two dengue deaths in 2025 as cases surge past 5,300

Sri Lanka has reported two dengue-related deaths in 2025, with the total number of cases reaching 5,362 as of February 3, according to National Dengue Control Unit.

Liquid Cocaine seized for first time in SL history

Liquid Cocaine or cocaine in the form of a liquid basis was seized for the first time in the country’s history by Sri Lanka Customs yesterday.